The April 2026 deal, approved by state regulators, will add $108 million in assets and expand the lender’s footprint across Northeast Ohio.

7 17 Credit Union will merge with Geauga Credit Union on April 1, 2026, in what executives describe as a transformative step for the region’s largest credit union and a significant consolidation in Northeast Ohio’s financial landscape.

The merger, which has received regulatory approval from the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions, represents the largest in 7 17’s history. The transaction will bring $108 million in assets from Geauga into the Warren-based institution and expand 7 17’s reach into Geauga and Ashtabula counties.

The combined organization will operate under the 7 17 Credit Union name and is expected to serve more than 130,000 members following full integration, which is scheduled for November 2026. Geauga Credit Union currently serves about 6,500 members.

“This is about more than growth. It’s about people,” said John Demmler, president and chief executive of 7 17 Credit Union. “While our reach is expanding, we’re keeping what matters most at the forefront: personal relationships, a member-first commitment, and a focus on building a stronger community.”

The merger will give members access to branches in Burton and Middlefield, while new branches are planned in Streetsboro and Stow in the spring of 2026. Altogether, the additions will provide members four new locations across greater Northeast Ohio, marking a 33% increase in branches for 7 17.

Following the transaction, the combined institution will serve 31,907 members across Portage, Stark, Summit, Geauga and Ashtabula counties through 678 workplace partners and 90 dealership partners. Of those workplace partners, 197 are located in Portage, Stark and Summit counties.

Founded in 1956 to serve Geauga school employees, Geauga Credit Union later expanded its field of membership to residents and workers in Geauga, Ashtabula, Portage and Trumbull counties. It operates two branches, in Burton and Middlefield, and reported assets of more than $108 million. The Burton-based lender earned $888,000 in 2025, down from nearly $1.1 million in 2024.

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By comparison, 7 17 Credit Union, which is based in Warren, earned $15.6 million in 2025, up slightly from $15.2 million the previous year. It currently counts more than 120,000 members and 12 branches across Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, Portage, Summit and central Stark counties.

For Geauga’s board, the decision followed a period of sustained growth and a search for a partner with greater scale.

“We are excited for this next step. Members of Geauga Credit Union will now be part of one of the best and strongest credit unions in Ohio,” said Dan Burkholder, president of Geauga’s board. “We are looking forward to our members having access to 7 17’s ‘No Fee’ Mortgages, high-yield savings products, and a broad array of commercial and business banking products.”

The deal is part of a broader expansion strategy for 7 17. In January, the credit union said that Teamsters Local 92 Federal Credit Union would merge into 7 17 effective Jan. 2, with the Teamsters branch in Canton closing and its 500 members served at 7 17’s North Canton branch.

Demmler has previously said the credit union aims to grow its membership to 200,000 by 2030, an increase of more than 65%. To support that goal, 7 17 plans to double its branch network from 12 to 24 and expand its ATM presence throughout the region, including access to 40,000 fee-free machines.

Executives from both institutions said they are committed to ensuring a seamless transition for members as the two organizations combine operations over the coming year.

“This is about more than growth. It’s about people.”

– John Demmler
President & Chief Executive
7 17 Credit Union